A large crowd gathered at the Museum of Islamic Art Park here , where the Reach Out To Asia "Wheels n' Heels" annual community fun day event was taking place, and cheered as an image of "the nurturing tree" flashed on a giant screen.

The logo, which has been designed by BWM Naked, a Dubai based creative agency, was unveiled by Noora Al Mannai, chief executive of Doha 2020, while Qatar's First Lady, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, was among the guests.

Inspired by the Arabic word for Doha "ad-dawha" - "the big tree" - this word is referenced in Arabic poetry as a tree or place of generosity and nurturing. 

Together this formed the creative seed for the logo as it captured the essence of what modern Doha is today - a city for all to experience, to learn in and a place of nurturing  - The Nurturing Tree, Doha 2020 officials claimed.

Doha 2020 also unveiled its campaign slogan - Inspiring Change - as well as the first phase of the bid website www.doha2020.qa.

"Today is an important moment for Doha 2020 as we begin to show the vision of our bid for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the vice-chair of Doha 2020.

"Our logo and slogan reflect the uniqueness of Doha as a city and the legacies that would be achieved if the Games were to come to the Arab world for the first time.

"We want to inspire more people across the region to play sport - in particular girls and women – and to embrace the values of Olympism. 

"Doha 2020 is an historic opportunity to grow the Olympic Movement in a new region at a crucial moment in its history.

"Should Doha succeed, or fail – our legacy for sports development and subsequent benefits are already being planted."

People were also today invited to sign a giant wall where they could leave their good luck messages.

Among those to sign were the First Lady (pictured left) and Sheikha Mayassa (right), the vice chair of Doha 2020.


"Inspiring Change was developed to reflect Qatar's position at the heart of a region experiencing change, our nation's economic strength, vision, and generosity of spirit, and the belief that Olympic sport can change lives in a very positive way," said Al Mannai.

"Doha 2020 wants to align those qualities with the 'stardust' and inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

"Together this offers the opportunity to nurture and inspire positive and lasting legacy in Qatar and the wider region through sport, education and culture.

"Our slogan seeks to capture all of this potential."

Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the general secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Doha 2020 vice-chairman, also expressed his confidence in the bid, which is facing rivals Baku, Istanbul, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo.

"Today is a significant milestone for Doha 2020 with the unveiling of our bid logo, slogan and launch of our website" he said.  

"With just a few days to go before we submit Doha's Applicant File to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) our campaign is now moving into the next gear.

"Doha 2020 is about creating a 'win-win' for Qatar, the region and the Olympic Movement. 

"It is an invitation to help build a better future and to offer Olympic sports new potential for growth, while empowering a new generation of Arab girls and boys through sport. 

"I believe that our logo and slogan help to capture the essence of what Doha 2020 would deliver to the Olympic Family through the development of Olympic sport throughout the region."

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